To start working in the Czech Republic, you have to apply for a Czech work visa, known as an Employee Card. The Employee Card is issued to a non-EU citizen who has an offer of employment from a Czech employer.

Do I Need a Visa to Work in the Czech Republic?

Everyone who is not from the EU/EEA/Switzerland needs a visa and a work permit (Employee Card) to work in the Czech Republic. This rule applies even if you will work in the Czech Republic for less than 90 days.

Citizens of EU/EEA/Swiss can work without any restrictions in the Czech Republic.

Types of Czech Republic Work Permits

There are three different work permits for the Czech Republic:

• The Employee Card.
• The Blue Card.
• The Intra-Company Transferee Card.

Employee Card

The employee card is a permit for long-stay that allows citizens of foreign countries to live and work in the Czech Republic. The Employee Card is always related to the specific job and employer for which it was issued.

An employee card is valid for two years, but it can be extended depending on the case.

It is like an ID card, plastic with biometric features on it.

Czech EU Blue Card

The EU Blue Card is issued to non-EU citizens who have higher professional or educational qualifications and have a job offer from a Czech employer. The Czech Blue Card is valid for two years and can be renewed.

EU/EEA/Swiss citizens and their family members do not need a Blue Card to work in the Czech Republic.

Intra-Company Transferee Card

The intra-company transferee card allows foreign country citizens to transfer their work in the Czech Republic to higher positions as a manager or specialist for three years and as an employed intern for one year.

Applying for a Czech Republic Work Visa

To apply for the Czech Republic work visa, you must follow these specific steps:

1. Contact the Czech Embassy to set an appointment. You must contact the nearest Czech embassy in your country to book an appointment for your visa application.
2. Submit the required documents to the Czech embassy. Submit all the required documents mentioned below at the embassy and enter a visa interview. The interview will contain questions regarding your visit to the Czech Republic: the purpose of your stay, how long you plan to stay, do you have a place to stay, etc.
3. The Czech Embassy forwards the application to the Ministry of Interior. The Czech Ministry of Interior (MOI) reviews your application and makes a decision. If the MOI approves your application, you will receive a long-stay visa, which allows you to travel to the Czech Republic to collect the Employee Card.
4. Enter the Czech Republic and collect your Employee Card. Within three working days of arriving in the Czech Republic, you have to visit an office of the Ministry of the Interior to report your stay and provide your biometric data. After that, you will be issued a work permit (Employee Card) that will allow you to stay and work in the Czech Republic for one year.

Applying for a Work Permit From Inside the Czech Republic

If you are already in the Czech Republic and you want to apply for a work permit, you must follow these steps:

1. Submit the application and other requested documents to the Ministry of Interior.  Submit all the required documents with the application form in person to the Ministry of Interior in the Czech Republic. You must submit the documents on the day of your appointment.
2. Wait for a response.  The Ministry of Interior, where you have submitted the application form, will contact you with your work permit application response within 90 days.
3. Collect the Employee Card. After your application is approved, you must pick up your Employee Card (work permit) at the MOI. After picking up your card, you can start working.

Czech Republic Work Visa Processing Time

It takes 30 to 60 days to process a Czech Republic work visa. The processing time starts after you have finished your visa application and submitted your papers to the Czech embassy in your country. You are recommended to submit your application at least 45 days before your traveling date.

Czech Republic Work Visa Requirements

When applying for a Czech work visa, you must submit the following documents:

• Passport. The passport must be valid for three months after the return date. You must have at least two blank pages. You might be required to bring copies of your previous visas, if you have any.
• Passport photos. Two passport photos must be attached to your documentation. They must be in passport-size 35-45mm, must be taken within the last six months, in colors.
• Travel insurance. You will be requested to present a travel medical insurance document for the period from your entry into the territory of the Czech Republic to the date on which your public medical insurance in the CR will become effective. The minimum confirmation must be €30,000 coverage for the initial duration of your stay.
• Biometric data (fingerprints). Submit the fingerprints when applying to the Ministry of Interior.
• Work contract or a work agreement. The documents must prove that you have a job in the Czech Republic with a salary not lower than the basic monthly wage, and the working hours will be at least 15 hours a week.
• Personal qualification document proof. This document must prove that you are qualified for the desired job. Proving that you have the required education level (diploma), a driving license (if applicable), etc.
• A document from the penal register. Proof that you have a clean criminal record.
• Medical report. A documented proof from the Ministry of Health proving that you are in good health.

Czech Republic Work Visa Fees

The fee for a work visa is CZK 2,500 (appx. €102).  You must pay the fee after you fully complete the application form. The payment must be made in the embassy or the consulate, depending on where you apply.

Duration of a Czech Republic Work Visa

The duration of the work visa is between one to three years. The duration time can be for a limited or temporary job contract. If you then want to stay for a longer time in the Czech Republic, you must apply for a residence or a work permit extension.

Extending a Czech Republic Work Visa

You must do the extension for a work visa within the three months before the expiring date, but not earlier than three months. If you want to extend your time working in the Czech Republic, you must continue working with the same employer in the same work position you have been working. If you want to change your employer, you must apply for a new work permit.

Czech Republic Digital Nomad Visa (Freelancers)

The Digital Nomad visa offers you the opportunity to stay in the Czech Republic as a freelancer. This visa is also called Czech Republic Zivno Visa.

To apply for a Digital Nomad visa, you must be a freelancer, which means you must work with different companies and clients, performing different services to them.

Bringing Your Family Along

If you are a non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizen, living in the Czech Republic within the last 15 months, or are a residence permit holder, you can bring your family members to the Czech Republic. Family members can work, live, and study in the Czech Republic. You can bring the following family members along:

• Spouse (partner).
• Cohabiting partner.
• Child under age 18.
• Lonely relatives who are older than age 65, with health problems.

The visa application must include documentation as:

• Marriage certificate. A copy of your marriage certificate or partnership certificate if you are a (spouse or registered partner.)
• Proof of cohabitation. Documents proof such as lease contracts, insurance policies, etc.
• Birth certificate for children under age 18. A copy of the birth certificate and consent from the second parent if the parent is not coming to the Czech Republic.
• Proof you have paid the application fee. Attach the recipe.
• Passport. A copy of all the pages of your passport, including the cover.

Things to Know About Working in the Czech Republic

While being the country with the lowest unemployment rate in the EU and chosen as the safest country in the world, the Czech Republic offers excellent opportunities for work. Some of the things you should know about working in the Czech Republic are:

• The average salary in the Czech Republic is 35400 CZK/Month (€1,452.35/Month).
• The average health insurance starts from 6000 CZK a year and goes up to 40 thousand CZK in a year, depending on which health insurance company you choose.
• The average living cost in the Czech Republic is 350 to 750 USD a month. This includes rent payment, meals, transport, etc. But, of course, the prices can change depending on the lifestyle you prefer.